Prefects play a vital role in the Berkshire community, serving as leaders both in and out of their dorms. They uplift their peers, act as role models, and foster a sense of support among students. Beyond offering guidance, prefects also take on significant responsibilities, organizing events and strengthening the Berkshire community as a whole.
To gain better insight into the prefect experience, I spoke with Natalie Heldfond ’25 about her journey as a leader. Natalie shared that she had been interested in being a prefect since freshman year, as the role always looked fun. However, it wasn’t until her sophomore year that she knew for certain that she wanted to pursue it. “In my sophomore year I looked up to my prefects highly and realized that becoming a prefect would be a good way to be involved in my Berkshire community one last time as a senior,” she said.
We then discussed the highs and lows of being a prefect. Natalie explained that while there are many rewarding aspects of leadership, there are also challenges. She admitted, “Balancing responsibilities becomes hard as managing academics, extracurriculars, and prefect duties can be overwhelming. Also, there’s constant pressure to set a good example, even when it’s tough.”
Despite these challenges, Natalie finds immense joy in her role. She loves helping to create a strong, supportive community, welcoming new students during orientation, organizing events like Winter Carnival, and collaborating with a fun team of prefects and dorm parents. Natalie’s favorite event is orientation, as she meets new students and helps them adapt to Berkshire. As previously mentioned, Natalie loves running Winter Carnival and leading her dorm, as this is a chance to show off her school spirit and work with other prefects.
For Natalie, being a prefect has been one of the most meaningful parts of her senior year. It has given her the chance to step up as a leader, make a lasting impact, and contribute to the Berkshire Community in a way she will always cherish.
